Paul 'Jaybird' McCrary

Paul "Jaybird" Reeves McCrary, 83, died Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, in Lexington. A celebration of Paul's life will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church, 310 S. Main St., by the Rev. Drs. Ray Howell III and Arnetta Beverly. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Davidson Funeral Home and other times at the home.Paul was a member of First United Methodist Church in Lexington. He was born Feb. 19, 1930, in Lexington. He was preceded in death by his father, John Cletus McCrary; mother Flossie Reeves McCrary; and sister Alice McCrary Temple. Growing up on Robbins Circle, McCrary graduated from Lexington Senior High School in 1948. He accepted an athletic scholarship from Atlantic Christian College in Wilson and was a two-sport student/athlete. Paul received his Bachelor of Arts degree in science in 1952.Paul devoted his adult life to public service, first as a police officer with the Lexington Police Department then as a State of North Carolina parole officer. A politician at heart, Paul was elected sheriff of Davidson County in 1974. He was the longest-serving sheriff in Davidson County history, winning four consecutive four-year terms from 1974 until 1990. Among his many accomplishments as sheriff, he created one of the first Community Watch programs in the state and was president of the North Carolina Sheriff's Association from 1984 to 1985. Paul was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from Gov. James B. Hunt on Jan. 1, 1985. In 1986, Paul led a statewide effort for legislation to provide eligible sworn law enforcement officers in North Carolina a special separation allowance upon retirement until reaching age 62. The special separation allowance legislation became law Jan. 1, 1987. In 1990, Paul decided not to seek reelection and retired. After his retirement, Paul was elected N.C. House District 37 representative in 1993 and proudly served in the North Carolina General Assembly representing all of his constituents with equal fervor until completion of his last term of office in 2000. During his time in the state House, he served as the co-chairman of the subcommittee on justice and public safety. He was a proud member of the Lexington Kiwanis Club and especially proud to be the Davidson County Agricultural Fair manager from 1992 until 2005. He volunteered many hours in preparation for the annual fair and loved the time he spent at the fair greeting many attendees, most by their first name. Paul was a strong believer in the virtues of public service. When he retired as sheriff he said that he hadn't made a lot of money in his life, but he had helped a lot of people. That sentiment sums up his priorities in life, and if helping people could be quantified into wealth, then he died a very rich man.Paul is survived by his wife, Jean Amerson McCrary; son John Robert McCrary and wife Suellen of High Point; daughter Betty McCrary Bauer and husband Scott of Lexington; daughter Paula McCrary Teague and husband Reggie of Lexington; grandsons Patrick McCrary of Rocky Mount and Nathan Teague and Austin Teague, both of Lexington; granddaughters Amanda Beam Davis of Greensboro and husband Brad, Sara McCrary of New York City and Mary Beam of Wilmington; brother-in-law Bob Temple; niece Kathy Temple; and nephew Eddie Temple of Murphy. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Paul's memory may be made to Kamp Kiwanis Children's Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 1951, Lexington, NC 27293-1951. The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to the critical care unit staff at Wake Forest Baptist Health — Lexington Medical Center for their compassionate care for "Jaybird."Online condolences may be made at www.davidsonfuneralhome.net.